Gulfstream Park: Reload gives Castellano sixth win of card in Canadian Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Reload parlayed a dream trip under a sizzling Javier Castellano to become a graded stakes winner for the first time when he slipped along the rail to wear down Mr. Online by a neck to capture Saturday’s $150,000 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park.

The Canadian Turf was the sixth win of the day for Castellano, who also rode Onlyforyou to victory 30 minutes earlier in the Grade 2 Davona Dale.

Reload had made only one previous start on grass, leading throughout to capture a high-priced optional claiming race here last month. But with plenty of speed signed on for the Grade 3 Canadian Turf, Castellano opted to rate Reload off the early pace set by Mr. Online and forced by Rydilluc.

Reload saved ground while racing within easy striking distance of the leader and then found ample room along the fence to challenge and eventually overtake a game Mr. Online through the final furlong of the one-mile Canadian Turf. Salto rallied mildly to finish another 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third.

Rydilluc, the tepid 7-2 favorite, faltered down the stretch and finished a tiring fifth.

Reload, a homebred son of Hard Spun owned by the Phipps Stable and trained by Shug McGaughey, completed the distance in 1:32.34 over a firm and speed- favoring course and paid $11.60.

“He’s been training very well but sometimes he doesn’t show up,” said McGaughey. “But it looks like since we put him on the grass, everything has sort of come together. I’m tickled to death with the way he ran.”

McGaughey said Reload didn’t breeze that well on the grass when he tried it last winter at Payson Park, but that he was determined to get him on the turf once returning to south Florida this winter.

“I told Javier he was going to break good enough and this horse had enough speed that he would be up in the race,” said McGaughey. “I just said to ride it the way it comes up and he rode another perfect race.”

McGaughey indicated that the Makers Mark Mile could be the next major objective for Reload this spring at Keeneland.